by Keith Hunt

Fines totalling more than £74,000 have been imposed on firms and lorry drivers for illegally dumping controlled waste on a site in a designated area of natural beauty.

Handing out the penalties, a judge said: "The environment in which we live is a precious heritage. We must preserve it for ourselves, our children and grandchildren and future generations."

Maidstone Crown Court heard hundreds of trucks queued up on land next to the M25 and A224 at Polhill near Sevenoaks to create an 8,200 cubic metre pile of waste in a three-week period.

Prosecutor Sailesh Mehta described it as "a large-scale, audacious dumping operation".

Nine firms and drivers admitted charges under the Environment Protection Act 1990.

The biggest fine of £25,000 was imposed on P J Brown, Ltd, of Crawley, West Sussex, which went into administration soon after the summons was issued.

Judge Philip Statman said the company's role was "key and crucial", with 25 loads of waste being dumped over a day or so. A £375,000 bulldozer was used.

The judge said P J Brown could not escape responsibility by being in administration. The company will also have to pay £6,250 clean-up costs and £5,000 prosecution costs.

Peter Alexander, 51, of Sprattsbrook House, Eridge Road, Tunbridge Wells, who was responsible for 166 loads, was fined £14,000 with £5,000 prosecution costs and £16,000 towards the clean-up.

Gregory Roff, 45, of Ash Road, Hartley, was fined £9,000, with £9,000 prosecution costs and £10,000 clean-up costs for dumping 97 loads.

Marc Gwyther, 47, of Ross Road, Crayford, was fined £4,000 with £1,500 prosecution costs and £1,500 clean-up costs for 15 loads.

United Grab Hire, of Honeypot Lane, Edenbridge, was fined £9,000 with £3,000 prosecution costs and £500 clean-up costs for two lorry loads.

LMD Crushed Aggregates, of Climpstead Way, Bansted, Surrey, was fined £7,000 with £3,000 prosecution costs and £750 clean-up costs for three loads.

Craig Starbuck, 37, of Beaconsfield Road, Bexley, was fined £2,000 with £250 prosecution costs and £200 clean-up costs for two loads.

John Ryan, 55, of Consdale Drive, Gillingham, was fined £250 with £250 prosecution costs and £200 clean-up costs.

BSP (Knockholt), of Sevenoaks Road, Halstead, was fined £4,000 with £3,000 prosecution costs and £250 clean-up costs.